Bangkok Vulnerable To Chemical Accidents

[george]

HAZARDOUS GOODS TRANSPORT

Bangkok vulnerable to chemical accidents

BANGKOK: Many of the drivers taking hazardous substances across the city every day have no licence or driving skills, a survey found.

Paibul Suriyawongpaisarn, head of the Knowledge Management Unit for Road Safety, cited a study by Consultant of Technology Co Ltd, said the densely-populated capital was vulnerable to chemical accidents.

The study, which focused on the transport routes of hazardous goods, was sent to the Transport and Communication Ministry last December.

The study listed five main transport routes for hazardous substances: Highway 35 (Samut Sakhon-Thonburi-Pak Tho), Highway 34 (Bang Na -Trat), Highway 7 (Bang Pakong), Highway 36 (Chon Buri-Rayong bypass), and Highway 3 (Map Ta Phut area). About 13,866 tonnes of hazradous substances are moved a month, 47% of which was inflammable liquid.

The study also pointed at Map Ta Phut Custom Pass, Bangkok Port and Laem Chabang Port as the three major ports with highest imported volumes of dangerous goods.

Imports of inflammable liquid substances at Map Ta Phut Custom Pass was about 222,000 tonnes per year, at Bangkok Port about 150,000 tonnes and at Laem Chabang Port about 90,000 tonnes each year.

Exports of hazardous goods here were also high, from 177,000 tonnes to 1.9 million tonnes a year.

The study found that 26% of the vehicles taking hazardous substances had warning labels placed on one side only, while 12% had no indicator signs at all.

--Bangkok Post 2004-03-20